Institute for Integrated Quality Design (IQD)

Founded in October 2015, the Institute for Integrated Quality Design (IQD) at Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria) is a leading interdisciplinary research and teaching institute working at the intersection of circular economy, sustainability innovation, and quality design. We take a product life cycle perspective—from raw material extraction to manufacturing, use, reuse, and eventual disposal. Specifically, the IQD analyzes and advances circular business models, collaborative networks and innovation ecosystems, circular product-service system development, cradle-to-cradle design principles, and related certification and management systems. This enables the creation of effective products, components, and materials that can be continuously reused, repaired, refurbished/remanufactured, and recycled. Our innovative approach helps overcome key global challenges, including resource scarcity, fossil fuel dependence, product degradation, pollution, and mounting volumes of waste.